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L.A. Now Live: Discuss Carmageddon II, 405 Freeway closure

Times transportation reporter Ari Bloomekatz will join L.A. Now Live at 9 a.m. Wednesday to discuss the plans for the 405 Freeway closure later this month, dubbed Carmageddon II.

Public officials and business leaders Tuesday announced scores of
commercial discounts and a handful of special events for those who leave
their cars at home during the weekend closure.

"We did this last year and Angelenos
heeded our call to stay out of their cars. In fact they did such a great
job that afterward we called it Carmaheaven," Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said at a news conference in Hollywood.

Carmageddon II, the final episode, will get underway when authorities
start closing ramps and shutting down lanes during the evening of Friday, Sept.
28 and is scheduled to last until early morning Monday, Oct. 1.

Ten miles
of the 405 will be closed between the 10 and 101 freeways while
crews work to demolish half of the Mulholland Drive bridge, necessary
as part of a $1-billion freeway improvement project that includes adding
a northbound carpool lane.

"So once again, we have an opportunity to have a car-free weekend," Villaraigosa said.

&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href=&amp;amp;amp;amp;quot;http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=1a2854122d&amp;amp;amp;amp;quot; _mce_href=&amp;amp;amp;amp;quot;http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=1a2854122d&amp;amp;amp;amp;quot; &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;L.A. Now Live with city editor Shelby Grad&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;